We begin this paper by discussing the necessary modifications to the
Rytova–Keldysh potential [1]}, [2]} when
dealing with interlayer excitons, followed by analyzing an harmonic oscillator approximation to this potential which will motivate the chosen variational wave–function.
After defining this ansatz, we outline the complete set of
basis functions we will use to approximate the excited states of the exciton.
The necessary material–dependent set of parameters characteristic
of the specific van der Waals heterostructure in question will also
be discussed, obtaining the desired energy levels.
